Spirit shines at Chinese New Year celebration

Jan. 30, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Master of Ceremonies Theresa Yang introduces members of the Chinese Sunset Art Association. The all-woman ensemble performed a traditional drum dance to welcome the coming of Spring. JENNIFER KARMARKAR

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Members of the Chinese-American Club present a hilarious skit about a bride and groom who follow the Chinese custom of returning to the bride's parents' home with their new baby on the second day of the Lunar New Year. From left to right: Allen Hsu, Cecilia Jen, Susan Hsu, and Rose Fan. The club celebrated Chinese New Year on Monday. JENNIFER KARMARKAR

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A harmonica band performs the traditional Chinese New Year song Gong Shi, Gong Shi as audience-members sing along. Gong Shi means 'Happy New Year.' JENNIFER KARMARKAR

The sumptuous buffet features traditional Chinese New Year dishes, including fish, smoked chicken, pigs feet and a variety of vegetables. It is customary that foods from land, air and sea be represented at the New Year feast. The fish is traditionally served whole and a portion is left for the following day as a symbol of prosperity. JENNIFER KARMARKAR

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Rose Fan plays matchmaker in a skit called "Returning Mother-in-law Home for Visit." Fan also wrote the skit. JENNIFER KARMARKAR

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The rice cake is a staple food for the Chinese during the New Year celebration. It is known as "Niang Ao", which means "better year." Legend has it that during a period of abundant rice, the ruler of a village decided to mash the rice and form it into bricks to serve as the city's walls. When a famine arrived, it is said the villagers survived by eating the walls made from the rice. JENNIFER KARMARKAR

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A member of the Chinese-American Club serves pigs feet to hungry diners. Pigs feet are typically braised in a mixture of vinegar and ginger and then smoked. JENNIFER KARMARKAR

Year of the Snake

The Chinese Zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each represented by an animal. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be:

 Wise but enigmatic;

Intuitive and size up situations well;

Refined and like to dress well;

Intense and passionate in relationships;

Prefer a calm, stress-free environment.

Paper lanterns and banners of red and gold adorned the dining room at Clubhouse 7 Monday, as members and guests of the Chinese-American Club celebrated the Lunar New Year. The annual event drew a capacity crowd that was treated to a show of Chinese folk songs, Tai Chi dances, musical ensembles and a comedy skit.

Guests feasted on traditional Chinese New Year foods thought to bring good luck. A highlight of the buffet was the New Year rice cake, said to promote advancement in the coming year.

Newly elected Club president Cecilia Jen said the program was produced entirely by Club members. "The spirit of our group is everything is done by ourselves, and everybody is very willing to help and serve the community. I think we have a very nice spirit."

In China, the New Year celebration launches the 15-day Spring Festival, and is the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. This year, the Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 10, which begins the Year of the Snake.

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